New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-12-29
WATCH OR OFFICE MUST GO.
COLLECTOR SULLIVAN'S PREDICAMENT.

HIS sUboRDINATEs GAVE HIM A CHRISTMAS GIFT
| THEY ALL BROKE THE LAw-THE PENALTY.
| Ihcre are number of men in this city who will
wish to-day that Christmas never came for il was
uhdef the inspiring influences of the holiday time
ana lat Offices under the reckless and extravagant
Democratic ring-rue that these men are all liable
to Immediate dismissal from their employment.
They are the officers of the Second
Internal Revenue District who with
| their chief, John A. Sullivan. have
violated section of the Revised Statutes and that
violation should be followed by the provision made.
| On last Saturday afternoon Mr. Sullivan was
seated in his office in the Temple Court building
| ndulging in blissful sclfcommunication. lie
| was at peace with the world and his power as a
| Iammany chieftain almost assured him of
tlnuance in office so long the tOmahawk of that
| organization was buried far the County
Democracy and the friends of the President were
concerned. The aroma of a good cigar filled the
room, and the curs of smoke ascended they took
fantastic shapes and forms and visions of fatter
and more lucrative offices fitted through his BRAIN
THE FATAL GIFT PRESENTED.
1t was while he was in this peaceful and happy
state that his reverics disturbed by the ap-I
pcarance of one Of the braves OF the Office Colonel
James b. Mulligan. The two warriors held mo-
mcntary consultation and when it through
a smile had taken possession of the spacious c0un-
tenance Of Mr. Sullivan and the two walked arm
In arm into an adjoining room. There the small
boy warriors were assembled, and q whoop of wei
come greeted the Colonel and their chief. When
the whOopng all whOOped out the Colonel got
on chair i'll lieu OF stump and harangued the
small-fry and Mr. Sullivan, ending by handing him
a handsome gold watch and chain TO be used a
sort of taliSman with which to guide the footsteps
of the big chief in his political warfare and to
ward of any taking OF scalps that might have been
cont, mplatcd by han.
The big chief took the watch and chain and
passed the word for the little Injuns' to follow
him. Led by him they attacked neighborng
bar-room. and in iire-watcr that went oil with "a
bang mutual expressions of regard drunk.
] he chain lay eraccf lly across Mr.. Suyan's large
stomach aud he spent three days In showing the
He will not wear it any more and The givers will
be asked to take back the watch that they gave
him. The acceptance by Mr. Sullivan of the gift
and the prescniation OF it by the men under him
has put the Internal Revenue Collector and tho
men in an extremely unpleasant position Ae-
Revised Statutes their su lmary dismissal from the
service of the Government should follow
WHAT TnE LAW OF THE LAND SAYS
The section is entitled, Prohibition of contribu-
tions presents etc. to superiors." 1t reads as fol-
lows:
NJ officer clerk or empoyc in the United states
Government employ shall al any time solicit coniIibu-
tion~ Om other officers, clerks or cmpoyc- In tho
Government service for gift or present those N
superb, official position shall any such official or
clcca superior receive any gift plesent offered
or p.csrntca to them a contribution from persons
in Government employ ewing less -alaIy Than
themselves: -hall any officer or clerk make any
Tycry ref-oT wio violates mi. section .hail be sam
marliy discharged from the government employ.
The revision is dated February. 1870.
reporter called at NJ. Sullivan's home, in West
Forty veuth-st. last nIght The Collector was IN
ana came upstairs smiling
- came to ask about the presentation that was
made 70 you on saturday" said the reporter.
The smile spread as Nh Sullivan answered,
"Yes. | hal little present given me. Won't you
" Did YOU know that your acceptance of it was
ILLEGAL ?"
The smile changed to expression of per-
"Dd you know. that you broke the law when
BrcIe io, the Jaw, No! Idrdnt know that there
a law covering such matters
! he section referred To was shown to him and ne
read It carefully.
We'll" he SAID, lyon are hight" AMI thor
u.hy Disguised expression took possession of has
countenance. lie looked sOrrowtuy down az tho
cham that curved across his wlIstcoat and gilt
tered as the lights on the Brooklyn Bidge appear
to do from distance.
HE WILL GIVE BACK TIE WATCH
What will you do now'' he was asked.
"Do! | can't do ANYTHING now. but call the boys
together to-morrcw, point out the section to them
and return their Gift. Ii is an awkward position
for us all and suppose that we are Liable to dsc-
pine for our connection with H. ana nor know
making me such present. If had known of 1t
should surely have stopped II befoIe II went tc0
far II was complete surprise to ne and didn't
think of statutes of any kind wnen | was asked ID
accep, IL. | suppose ought To be held accounta-
bic for not knowing the law - this matter 6ut
our business makes us familiar only with the law
OF the Internal Revenue service"
Mr.. sullivan was appointed Collector by Prcsi-
dent Cleveland on December (. lss5. Tie succeeded
Marshall Il. Blake. he present Collector IS one OF
Iammany Halls bIg braves. He Is a member OF the
County General Committee from the AAlst ASSEM-
bly District and he welds "a powerful tomahawk
IN his ward
he watch that given him was a handsome
and costly one. and together with tie chain must
be worth 500. The question that VIII now be
asked j. Will the return of the gift after the Ile-
glty of the action of both the recipient and givers
has been exposed lessen the responsibility OF those
no were concerned IN the presentation II II does
not will the Collector of the Second Internal Rev-
enue District and his sub-Oicers be dismissed from
the service What Will the President do